UT’s Ash on Manziel: ‘It’s only by the grace of God I haven’t taken that path.’

AUSTIN — Aside from the position they both play, Texas quarterback David Ash has little in common with Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel. Ash has never even come close to winning a Heisman Trophy. He’s never beaten the No. 1 team in the country. He’s never led his team to a Top 10 finish. Raised in a strict religious household, he grew up without TV, he claims to have never had a sip of an alcoholic beverage, he doesn’t tweet, and he doesn’t even go to the movies, much less party with rap stars.

But on Monday, Ash was asked about Manziel anyway. A television reporter mentioned the possibility that the A&M quarterback might have to miss games this season due to an NCAA investigation, and asked Ash if he was happy he didn’t have to worry about such off-field issues. This is Ash’s answer:

“That’s a tough question. But, you know, my answer is ‘By the grace of God.’ I don’t know Johnny Manziel personally, but I do know that college football players are regular people, and they have their problems, just like everybody else. And Johnny Manziel, he seems like a nice guy. There’s a lot of pressure, a lot of things that can go wrong in your life. And probably not very many people are interested to know what that is, or what’s going on. Johnny, I just wish him the best. He’s a great football player.

“For me, it’s only by the grace of God I haven’t taken that path. I’ve been blessed with great parents. I’ve been blessed with a great community in Austin. I have my problems, just like Johnny Manziel. Somehow, I keep them from you guys.”